Joanna Kidney

The other day, organizing my wetsuits, the smell of the neoprene reminded me about Ireland and the time that I spent in County Mayo this year. It is not that Ireland smells like neoprene at all, but my memories about the light, landscape and people that I met there are linked to the experience that I had and surfing was part of it too.

Views from Ballinglen Arts Foundation.

 

Anyway, art as an experience and a way of understanding what surrounds me is something that I share with Joanna Kidney, an Irish artist that I met at the Ballinglen Arts Foundation.

During all the time that we shared at the residency, we visited each other´s studio frequently and maintained over the weeks a conversation about each other´s process and work.

With a study of complexity evolving from simplicity, process and drawing as backbone of Joanna´s work, once you get into her studio you will be immersed in a universe of related series or families of work.

 

Using different techniques such as drawing, monoprints, encaustic painting or groups of founded objects, natural and manmade, she articulates a body of work where you can find connections with natural, physical and sociological structures that are surrounding us. In certain way she traces a path that allows us to understand that microscopic or macroscopic scale are intimately related and that nature and humanity tend to repeat structures. Her way of working has some room for unexpected things that might happen in the creative process and become part of her practice.



Naveander, Installation view, RHA Atrium, Dublin, 2012-2013,

Felt, wool, hemp and thread,
210cm x 284cm x 168cm

 

 

Naveander (detail), RHA Atrium, Dublin, 2012-2013,

Felt, wool, hemp and thread,
210cm x 284cm x 168cm

 

 

Ordered Complexities 3, 2013,

monotypes on paper,
46cm X 46cm.

 

 

Plot VI, 2015, encaustic on panel, 60cm x 60cm

It put its face up to my face so I could see XV, 2015, encaustic on panel, 30cm x 30cm

Recently Joanna had a solo show at the Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, County Wicklow, where she exhibited part of the work done during her residency at Ballinglen Arts Foundation.

As part of the exhibition there was an installation that gave it´s name to the exhibition: “Wunderkammer”.

Here you are a link to the tv program Wicklow Matters (45) where you will be able to see an interview with Joanna and her exhibition:

http://www.irishtv.ie/wicklow-matters-45

For further information about Joanna Kidney .